Magnetic hinge electronic mobile device

ABSTRACT

An electronic mobile device comprises a base forming an inner surface and having a base hinge end. A cover having a cover hinge end is engaged with the base hinge end, and the cover is pivotable about a hinge axis that is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the base. The cover is movable from a closed position to an open position and vice versa relative to the base. In the closed position the cover is disposed proximate the base, and in the open position the cover is disposed away from the base. A base magnet having a first magnetic axis is supported at the base hinge end, and a cover magnet is supported at the cover hinge end so as to move with the cover relative to the base. The cover magnet has a second magnetic axis and interacts with the base magnet. Interaction of the base magnet and the cover magnet tends to align the first magnetic axis and the second magnetic axis and thereby bias the cover towards at least one of the closed position and the open position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable.

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to electronic mobile devices. In particular,this disclosure relates to hinge structures for cellular phones.

Some types of electronic mobile devices such as cellular phones,personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the like include a “flip” orpivotable cover connected to a base. These flip devices are popular forvarious reasons; for example, a display is typically supported by thecover and a keypad or other input panel is supported by the base.Therefore, both the display and the keypad can be larger than those ofsimilarly-sized non-flip devices that include a display and a keypad ona single surface. As another example, the cover closes against thekeypad when the mobile device is not in use, thereby preventingunintentional selection of keypad buttons. Furthermore, moving the coverof some electronic mobile devices causes the device to perform differentactions, such as answering calls, ending calls, or de-energizing a maindisplay to enter a power-saving mode.

Most previous flip devices include a hinge structure to pivotallyconnect the cover and the base. The hinge includes a shaft that definesa hinge axis and supports one end of a compression spring. The other endof the spring engages a set of cams that pivot relative to one anotherabout the hinge axis. A first cam is supported by the base, and a secondcam is supported by the cover. The engaging surfaces of the cams areshaped such that the spring biases the cams to positions in which thecover is fully closed or fully open. That is, the spring and theengaging surfaces of the cams are designed such that the cover is forcedaway from partially open positions. As such, the hinge assists a user inboth opening and closing the cover.

Unfortunately, the hinge may be worn out with repeated and frequent use.For example, the spring may deform and the characteristics of the springmay change due to compressive forces applied as the cover pivots. Assuch, the biasing force provided by the hinge may decrease over the lifeof the device. Furthermore, typical hinge structures are relatively tallcompared to other components of electronic mobile devices and therefore,in many cases, flip devices cannot be made as thin as non-flip devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote likeelements, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic mobile deviceincorporating the present disclosure and having a cover shown in aclosed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic mobile device of FIG. 1in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the electronic mobile device of FIG. 1 in theopen position;

FIG. 4 is a top detail view of a hinge of the electronic mobile deviceof FIG. 1 in the open position;

FIG. 5 is a side detail view of the hinge of FIG. 4 in the openposition;

FIG. 6 is a side detail view of the hinge of FIG. 4 in the closedposition;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the electronic mobile device of FIG. 1in the open position illustrating internal magnets within the hinge;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the electronic mobile device of FIG. 1in the closed position illustrating the internal magnets within thehinge;

FIG. 9 is a top detail view of a second embodiment of the hinge of theelectronic mobile device;

FIG. 10 is a top detail view of a third embodiment of the hinge of theelectronic mobile device;

FIG. 11 is a top detail view of a fourth embodiment of the hinge of theelectronic mobile device;

FIG. 12 is a top detail view of a fifth embodiment of the hinge of theelectronic mobile device;

FIG. 13 is a top detail view of a sixth embodiment of the hinge of theelectronic mobile device;

FIG. 14 is a side detail view of the hinge of FIG. 13 between an openand a closed position;

FIG. 15 is a top detail view of a seventh embodiment of the hinge of theelectronic mobile device;

FIG. 16 is a side detail view of the hinge of FIG. 15 between an openand a closed position; and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a diametric magnet illustratingpolarity and attraction planes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An electronic mobile device comprises a base forming an inner surfaceand having a base hinge end. A cover having a cover hinge end is engagedwith the base hinge end, and the cover is pivotable about a hinge axisthat is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the base. Thecover is movable from a closed position to an open position and viceversa relative to the base. In the closed position the cover is disposedproximate the base, and in the open position the cover is disposed awayfrom the base. A base magnet having a first magnetic axis is supportedat the base hinge end, and a cover magnet is supported at the coverhinge end so as to move with the cover relative to the base. The covermagnet has a second magnetic axis and interacts with the base magnet.Interaction of the base magnet and the cover magnet tends to align thefirst magnetic axis and the second magnetic axis and thereby bias thecover towards at least one of the closed position and the open position.

The cover may be movable over a pivotal range between the open positionand the closed position in which the first magnetic axis and the secondmagnetic axis are misaligned. In the closed position the first magneticaxis may also be misaligned with the second magnetic axis, and in theopen position the first magnetic axis may be aligned with the secondmagnetic axis.

The cover may be detachable from the base in the open position.

The base magnet may be a diametric magnet that includes a north polehalf, a south pole half, a polarity plane separating the north pole halfand the south pole half, and an attraction plane perpendicular to thepolarity plane. An intersection of the polarity plane and the attractionplane defines the first magnetic axis.

The base magnet and the cover magnet may be diametric magnets, and eachof the diametric magnets include a north pole half, a south pole half, apolarity plane separating the north pole half and the south pole half,and an attraction plane perpendicular to the polarity plane. Interactionbetween the base magnet and the cover magnet tends to align theattraction planes and thereby bias the cover towards the at least one ofthe closed position and the open position.

The electronic mobile device may further comprise a second base magnetsupported at the base hinge end. The second base magnet has a thirdmagnetic axis. The device may also further comprise a second covermagnet supported at the cover hinge end so as to move with the coverrelative to the base. The second cover magnet interacts with the secondbase magnet and has a fourth magnetic axis. Interaction between thesecond base magnet and the second cover magnet tends to align the thirdmagnetic axis and the fourth magnetic axis and thereby bias the covertowards the at least one of the closed position and the open position.

The electronic mobile device may further comprise a second base magnetsupported at the base hinge end. The second base magnet has a thirdmagnetic axis. Interaction between the second base magnet and the covermagnet tends to align the second magnetic axis and the third magneticaxis and thereby bias the cover towards the at least one of the closedposition and the open position.

An electronic mobile device comprises a base forming an inner surface. Acover is pivotable about a hinge axis that is substantially parallel tothe inner surface of the base. The cover is movable from a closedposition to an open position and vice versa relative to the base. In theclosed position the cover is disposed proximate the base, and in theopen position the cover is disposed away from the base. The devicefurther comprises a hinge including a first base hinge knuckle fixedlysupported by the base. A first magnet having a first magnetic axis ishoused within the first base hinge knuckle. The hinge further includes afirst cover hinge knuckle fixedly supported by the cover proximate thefirst base hinge knuckle. A second magnet having a second magnetic axisis housed within the first cover hinge knuckle so as to move togetherwith the cover relative to the base. The first magnet and the secondmagnet interact to provide a tendency to align the first magnetic axisand the second magnetic axis and thereby bias the cover towards at leastone of the closed position and the open position.

The electronic mobile device may further include a second base hingeknuckle fixedly supported by the base and a third magnet housed withinthe second base hinge knuckle. The third magnet has a third magneticaxis. The device may further include a second cover hinge knucklefixedly supported by the cover proximate the second base hinge knuckleand a fourth magnet housed within the second cover hinge knuckle so asto move together with the cover relative to the base. The fourth magnethas a fourth magnetic axis. The fourth magnet and the third magnetinteract to provide a tendency to align the fourth magnetic axis and thethird magnetic axis and thereby bias the cover towards at least one ofthe closed position and the open position.

The device may further include a first hinge pin pivotally connectingthe first base hinge knuckle and the first cover hinge knuckle, and asecond hinge pin pivotally connecting the second base hinge knuckle andthe second cover hinge knuckle.

The cover may be movable over a first pivotal range and a second pivotalrange. When pivoted to a position in the first pivotal range the firstmagnet and the second magnet may bias the cover towards the closedposition. When pivoted to a position in the second pivotal range thefirst magnet and the second magnet may bias the cover towards the openposition.

The base may have a base longitudinal plane and the cover may have acover longitudinal plane. The first magnetic axis may be misalignedrelative to the base longitudinal plane, and the second magnetic axismay be generally parallel relative to the cover longitudinal plane.

The electronic mobile device may further comprise an input panelsupported by the base and a display supported by the cover. Theelectronic mobile device may also further comprise a first wirelesstransceiver supported within the cover and a second wireless transceiversupported within the base. The second wireless transceiver and the firstwireless transceiver communicate to operatively connect the input panelto the display.

The hinge may further include a second base hinge knuckle fixedlysupported by the base. The first base hinge knuckle and the second basehinge knuckle may be disposed on opposite sides of the first cover hingeknuckle. The hinge may also further include a third magnet housed withinthe second base hinge knuckle. The third magnet has a third magneticaxis. The hinge may also further include a fourth magnet housed withinthe first cover hinge knuckle so as to move together with the coverrelative to the base. The fourth magnet has a fourth magnetic axis. Thethird magnet and the fourth magnet interact to provide a tendency toalign the third magnetic axis and the fourth magnetic axis and therebybias the cover towards at least one of the closed position and the openposition.

The hinge may further include a third magnet housed within the firstbase hinge knuckle. The third magnet has a third magnetic axis. Thesecond magnet and the third magnet interact to provide a tendency toalign the second magnetic axis and the third magnetic axis and therebybias the cover towards the other of the closed position and the openposition.

The electronic mobile device may further comprise an input panelsupported by the base and a display supported by the cover. The firstmagnet may include a first electrical plating surface. The second magnetmay include a second electrical plating surface electrically connectedto the first electrical plating surface to operatively connect the inputpanel to the display.

An electronic mobile device comprises a base and an input panelsupported by the base. A cover is pivotable from a closed position to anopen position and vice versa relative to the base. In the closedposition the cover covers the input panel, and in the open position thecover is disposed away from the base. A display is supported by thecover. A base magnet having a first electrical plating surface issupported within the base. A cover magnet is supported within the coverso as to move with the cover relative to the base. The cover magnetinteracts with the base magnet to bias the cover towards at least one ofthe closed position and the open position. Furthermore, the cover magnethas a second electrical plating surface electrically connected to thefirst electrical plating surface to operatively connect the input panelto the display.

The first electrical plating surface and the second electrical platingsurface may be in direct contact with one another.

The electronic mobile device may further comprise a pin pivotallyconnecting the base and the cover.

The base magnet may have a first magnetic axis, and the cover magnet mayhave a second magnetic axis. Interaction of the base magnet and thecover magnet may tend to align the first magnetic axis and the secondmagnetic axis. In the closed position the first magnetic axis may bemisaligned with the second magnetic axis. In the open position the firstmagnetic axis may be aligned with the second magnetic axis.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals correspondto similar elements throughout the several views, the present disclosurewill be described in the context of an electronic mobile device 100 suchas a cellular phone, although the present disclosure is also applicableto other devices such as PDAs, notebook computers, and the like.Referring specifically to FIGS. 1-3, the electronic mobile device 100includes a base 102 that supports a cover 104 via a hinge 106.

The base 102 has an inner surface 208 that supports an input panel 210,such as a keypad, a combination of a keypad and a trackball, atouch-sensitive panel, or the like. The sides of the base 102 alsoinclude additional keys 112 and data/power ports 214. In someembodiments, the base 102 includes a back plate (not shown) that may beremoved to access a battery (not shown) and a removable memory card (notshown). Furthermore, the base 102 houses a microprocessor (not shown)that operatively connects to the input panel 210. The base 102 includesa hinge end 116 that pivotally supports the cover 104.

The cover 104 pivots between a closed position (FIG. 1) and an openposition (FIGS. 2 and 3) relative to the base 102. In the closedposition the cover 104 is disposed proximate the base 102, e.g., toprotect the input panel 210 from unintentional activation due toaccidental contact. In the open position the cover 104 is disposed awayfrom the base 102, e.g., to permit use of the input panel 210. An innersurface 218 of the cover 104 supports an inner display 220 and an outersurface 122 supports an outer display 124 and a camera lens 126, each ofwhich operatively connect to the microprocessor and the input panel 210.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the cover 104 includes a hinge end 128 thatpivotally engages the hinge end 116 of the base 102. Together the hingeends 116 and 128 of the base 102 and the cover 104 define the hinge 106.The hinge 106 includes first and second base hinge knuckles 232 and 233fixedly supported by the base 102. The base hinge knuckles 232 and 233are disposed on opposite sides of a cover hinge sleeve or knuckle 234fixedly supported by the cover 104. The cover hinge knuckle 234 pivotsabout a hinge axis 436 relative to the base hinge knuckles 232 and 233,and the cover 104 thereby pivots about the hinge axis 436 relative tothe base 102.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-8 and 17, the hinge 106 houses two magnet pairs438 and 439. The first magnet pair 438 includes a first magnet 440fixedly disposed within the first base hinge knuckle 232 (i.e., thefirst magnet pair 438 includes a “base” magnet 440). The base magnet 440is a diametric magnet. As used herein, the phrase “diametric magnet” andvariations thereof refers to a magnet that includes a polarity plane 441(FIG. 17) separating a north pole half 442 from a south pole half 444. Adiametric magnet also includes an attraction plane 543 (FIG. 17)perpendicular to the polarity plane 441. In the case of the electronicmobile device 100, two adjacent diametric magnets tend to pivot aboutthe hinge axis 436 relative to one another to align the attractionplanes 543. As such, two adjacent diametric magnets also tend to pivotrelative to one another to align magnetic axes, such as the firstmagnetic axis 446 (FIG. 17) of the base magnet 440 defined by theintersection of the polarity plane 441 and the attraction plane 543 (ofcourse, when describing the magnetic axes of diametric magnets, the term“aligned” means the axes extend in the same direction but are notcollinear; i.e., the axes extend in the same direction and are spacedapart from one another). Furthermore, a diametric magnet may havegenerally cylindrical shape as shown in the figures, although othershapes may also be used. For example, three dimensional rectangulardiametric magnets may also be used.

The first magnet pair 438 further includes a second magnet 450 fixedlydisposed within the cover hinge knuckle 234 (i.e., the first magnet pair438 includes a “cover” magnet 450). The cover magnet 450 is a diametricmagnet like the base magnet 440. That is, the cover magnet 450 has anorth pole half 452 and a south pole half 454 on opposite sides of apolarity plane 451. The polarity plane 451 and an attraction plane 553also define a second magnetic axis 456. The cover magnet 450 is orientedsuch that the magnets 440 and 450 attract one another (e.g., the southpole half 444 of the base magnet 440 is disposed proximate the northpole half 452 of the cover magnet 450, although the north pole half 442of the base magnet 440 could also be disposed proximate the south polehalf 454 of the cover magnet 450).

The second magnet pair 439 is generally identical to the first magnetpair 438, and therefore the second magnet pair 439 is only brieflydescribed. The second magnet pair 439 includes a third magnet 453fixedly disposed within the second base hinge knuckle 233 (i.e., thesecond magnet pair 439 includes a second “base” magnet 453). The secondmagnet pair 439 also includes a fourth magnet 455 fixedly disposedwithin the cover hinge knuckle 234 (i.e., the second magnet pair 439also includes a second “cover” magnet 455). The third magnet 453 and thefourth magnet 455 are diametric magnets and include a third magneticaxis 457 and a fourth magnetic axis 459, respectively. As such, thethird magnet 453 and the fourth magnet 455 tend to pivot relative to oneanother to align the magnetic axes 457 and 459. Magnetic engagement ofthe third magnet 453 and the fourth magnet 455 (i.e., the interaction ofthe magnetic fields of the third magnet 453 and the fourth magnet 455that provide the tendency for the magnets 453 and 455 to pivot relativeto one another to align the magnetic axes 457 and 459) also provides atendency for the cover 104 to pivot relative to the base 102 asdescribed in the following paragraphs, although only the first magnet440 and the second magnet 450 are described for simplicity.

As described briefly above, magnetic engagement between the magnets 440and 450 provides a tendency for the magnets 440 and 450 to pivot towardsalignment of the attraction planes 543 and 553 and the magnetic axes 446and 456 (i.e., the attraction planes 543 and 553 being generallyparallel). Therefore, magnetic engagement also provides a tendency forthe cover 104 to pivot relative to the base 102 when the magnetic axesare misaligned. The magnets 440 and 450 bias the cover 104 towards theclosed position or the open position when the magnetic axes aremisaligned. The cover 104 occupies a stable position relative to thebase 102 when the magnetic axes are aligned in the open position. Incontrast and as described in further detail below, contact between thebase 102 and the cover 104 prevents the magnetic axes from aligning inthe closed position. Of course, a user may overcome the torque appliedby the magnets 440 and 450 to pivot the cover 104 to a different desiredposition.

The cover magnet 450 is oriented such that the attraction plane 553 isgenerally parallel to a longitudinal plane 558 of the cover 104. Thebase magnet 440 is oriented such that the attraction plane 543 is offsetfrom a longitudinal plane 560 of the base 102 by a small angle (e.g.,between 5 and 20 degrees and advantageously about 15 degrees). The anglebetween the attraction plane 543 and the base longitudinal plane 560provides the same angle between the base and cover planes 560 and 558when the attraction planes 543 and 553 align in the open position (FIG.5); the angle between the base 102 and the cover 104 is appropriate forpositioning the device 100 proximate a user's ear and mouth during aphone call.

Furthermore, the orientation of the magnets 440 and 450 relative to therespective planes 560 and 558 (i.e., being offset by a small angle andparallel, respectively) advantageously provides a thinner hinge profilecompared to previous designs. As such, the overall height of the device100 is advantageously less than that of many previous flip-type designs.

As described briefly above, the attraction planes 543 and 553 areparallel in the open position, thereby providing a “virtual hingedetent” (i.e., a stable position of the cover 104 relative to the base102). The attraction planes 543 and 553 are misaligned in the closedposition (FIG. 6) due to the angle between the attraction plane 543 andthe plane 560 described above. That is, contact between the base 102 andthe cover 104 in the closed position prevents the attraction planes 543and 553 from aligning.

The cover 104 moves over a total pivotal range of about 165 degreesbetween the closed position and the open position when the angle betweenthe attraction plane 543 and the base plane 560 is 15 degrees. In theembodiment where the angle is 15 degrees, the magnets 440 and 450 biasthe cover 104 towards the closed position over a first pivotal rangefrom an angle of zero degrees to just less than 75 degrees of the coverplane 558 to the base plane 560. The magnets 440 and 450 bias the cover104 towards the open position over the final 90 degrees of the totalpivotal range (i.e., over a second pivotal range from an angle of justgreater than 75 degrees to 165 degrees of the cover plane 558 to thebase plane 560). Of course, the magnetic axes 446 and 456 of the magnets440 and 450 are aligned at an angle of 165 degrees of the cover plane558 to the base plane 560 (i.e., the open position), and the magneticaxes 446 and 456 are misaligned for all other angles within the totalpivotal range.

Referring specifically to FIG. 4, in at least some embodiments a firsthinge pin 462 extends through the first and second magnets 440 and 450and pivotally connects the base 102 and the cover 104 about the hingeaxis 436. Similarly, a second hinge pin 463 extends through the thirdand fourth magnets 453 and 455 and pivotally connects the base 102 andthe cover 104 about the hinge axis 436. The hinge pins 462 and 463 mayhouse cables or wires (not shown) that operatively connect theelectronic components of the device 100 (e.g., connecting the inputpanel 210, the battery, and the microprocessor to the displays 124 and220). In some embodiments, the wires housed by the hinge pins 462 and463 carry power with an encoded data signal between the base 102 and thecover 104.

The structure of the electronic mobile device described above may varywithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, in someembodiments the base 102 supports a different type or number of inputpanels or keys than those described above and as shown in the figures.Similarly, in some embodiments the cover 104 supports differentcombinations of displays and/or camera lenses, or the cover 104 mayinclude none of these components. That is, in some embodiments the cover104 is a non-electronic component that simply secures the input panel210 in the closed position and the display may be provided in the base.

As yet another example and referring now to FIG. 9, in some embodimentsthe hinge 106 does not include hinge pins or any other componentsextending through and mechanically securing the hinge knuckles 232, 234and 233, 234. As such, the hinge knuckles 232, 234 and 233, 234releasably engage one another and permit the cover 104 to detach fromthe base 102 in one or more positions (e.g., the open position).Furthermore, the cover 104 and the base 102 house first and secondwireless transceivers 964 and 965, respectively, that may communicatewith each other to operatively connect the electronic components of thedevice 100. Such wireless transceivers 964 and 965 may also be employedin embodiments in which the hinge 106 includes hinge pins 462.

As yet another example and referring now to FIG. 10, in some embodimentsthe hinge 106 includes several interdigitating knuckles. That is, eachof the base hinge knuckles 232 and 233 is disposed between the firstcover hinge knuckle 234 and one of second and third cover hinge knuckles1066 and 1067. Furthermore, a first short hinge pin 1068 pivotallyconnects the second cover hinge knuckle 1066 to the first base hingeknuckle 232. Similarly, a second short hinge pin 1069 pivotally connectsthe third cover hinge knuckle 1067 to the second base hinge knuckle 233.Unlike the embodiments described above, however, the hinge pins 1068 and1069 do not extend through the magnets 440, 450, 453, and 455 oroperatively connect the electronic components of the device 100.Instead, the magnets 440 and 450 are disposed in open recesses in theknuckles 232 and 234 and have electrically conductive outer surfaces orfirst and second electrical plating surfaces 1071 and 1073,respectively, (e.g., gold-plated surfaces) in contact with one anotherto operatively connect the electronic components. In some embodiments,such a conductive plating may be limited to a pivot point about whichthe magnets 440 and 450 rotate relative to one another (i.e., thecontact point of the magnets 440 and 450 along the hinge axis 436). Ofcourse, the magnets 453 and 455 may also have electrically conductiveouter surfaces.

While the embodiments described above include two magnet pairs 438, insome embodiments a different number of magnets may suffice. Referringnow to FIG. 11, in some embodiments the first and third base magnets 440and 453 are disposed on opposite sides of a single cover magnet 450(i.e., the second magnet). The cover magnet 450 may have an elongated orelliptical shape to permit a smaller cover hinge knuckle 234 structurecompared to that of a large cylindrical cover magnet. In either case,each of the base magnets 440 and 453 magnetically engage the covermagnet 450 to bias the cover 104 toward the open and closed positions.That is, magnetic engagement between the magnets 440, 450, and 453provides a tendency for the magnets 440, 450, and 453 to pivot towardsalignment of the magnetic axes 446 and 457 with the second magnetic axis456. Therefore, magnetic engagement also provides a tendency for thecover 104 to pivot relative to the base 102 when the magnetic axes 446and 457 are misaligned with the second magnetic axis 456. The magnets440, 450, and 453 bias the cover 104 towards the closed position and theopen position, although a user may overcome the torque applied by themagnets 440, 450, and 453 to pivot the cover 104 to a different desiredposition.

Referring to FIG. 12, in some embodiments the hinge 106 includes only asingle magnet pair 438 housed within a single pair of hinge knuckles 232and 234. The base magnet 440 (i.e., the first magnet) magneticallyengages the cover magnet 450 (i.e., the second magnet) to bias the cover104 toward the open and closed positions. That is, magnetic engagementbetween the magnets 440 and 450 provides a tendency for the magnets 440and 450 to pivot towards alignment of the attraction planes 543 and 553and the magnetic axes 446 and 456 (i.e., the attraction planes 543 and553 being generally parallel). Therefore, magnetic engagement alsoprovides a tendency for the cover 104 to pivot relative to the base 102when the magnetic axes 446 and 456 are misaligned. The magnets 440 and450 bias the cover 104 towards the closed position and the openposition, although a user may overcome the torque applied by the magnets440 and 450 to pivot the cover 104 to a different desired position.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, in some embodiments the base hingeknuckles 232 and 233 each house a small upper base magnet 1370 (i.e.,the first magnet) and a small lower base magnet 1372 (i.e., the thirdmagnet) disposed on opposite sides of the hinge axis 436. The coverhinge knuckle 234 houses a single cover magnet 450 (i.e., the secondmagnet) that may have an elongated or elliptical shape as describedabove. The cover magnet 450 is also offset from the hinge axis 436 suchthe cover magnet 450 pivots between magnetic engagement with the pairsof upper base magnets 1370 and the lower base magnets 1372. That is, inthe open position (FIG. 13), the cover magnet 450 is disposed betweenand magnetically engaged by the upper base magnets 1370. In the closedposition, the cover magnet 450 is disposed between and magneticallyengaged by the lower base magnets 1372. Attraction planes 1474 of thebase magnets 1370 and 1372 may be misaligned with the longitudinal plane560 of the base 102 as described above, although other orientations arealso possible. In either case, magnetic engagement biases the cover 104toward the open and closed positions.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, in some embodiments the upper base magnets1580 (i.e., the first magnets), the lower base magnets 1582 (i.e., thethird magnets), and the cover magnet 1584 (i.e., the second magnet) maybe oriented such that magnetic axes 1586 and 1588 are generally parallelto the hinge axis 436. That is, the magnets 1580, 1582, and 1584 may benon-diametric magnets (e.g., axially polarized disc magnets having apolarity plane extending circumferentially through the magnets). As usedherein in the context of non-diametric magnets, the term “magnetic axis”and variations thereof refers to an axis perpendicular to the polarityplane, typically extending through the center of the magnet, along whicha pair of magnets tends to align.

The magnetic axes 1586 of the upper base magnets 1580 are aligned andcollinear with the magnetic axis 1588 of the cover magnet 1584 in theopen position. The magnetic axes 1586 of the lower base magnets 1582 arealigned and offset from the magnetic axis 1588 of the cover magnet 1584in the closed position. Alternatively, the magnetic axes 1586 of thelower base magnets 1582 and the magnetic axis 1588 of the cover magnet1584 may be collinear in the closed position. In either case, magneticengagement biases the cover 104 toward the open and closed positions.

Of course, in many of the embodiments described above the number of basehinge knuckles 232 and 233 and cover hinge knuckles 234 may be reversed.That is, for example, the cover 104 may include two hinge knucklesdisposed on opposite sides of a single base hinge knuckle.

From the above description, it should be apparent that the presentdisclosure provides an electronic mobile device hinge having a thinnerprofile than previous designs. Furthermore, components of the hinge donot deform with repeated use or provide a decreasing biasing force overthe life of the device.

It should be appreciated that various other modifications and variationsto the preferred embodiments can be made within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure should not be limited to thedescribed embodiments. To ascertain the full scope of the disclosure,the following claims should be referenced.

1. An electronic mobile device, comprising: a base forming an innersurface and having a base hinge end; a cover having a cover hinge endengaged with the base hinge end, the cover pivotable about a hinge axisthat is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the base, thecover movable from a closed position to an open position and vice versarelative to the base, in the closed position the cover disposedproximate the base, and in the open position the cover disposed awayfrom the base; a base magnet supported at the base hinge end, the basemagnet having a first magnetic axis; a cover magnet supported at thecover hinge end so as to move with the cover relative to the base, thecover magnet interacting with the base magnet and having a secondmagnetic axis; and wherein interaction between the base magnet and thecover magnet tends to align the first magnetic axis and the secondmagnetic axis and thereby bias the cover towards at least one of theclosed position and the open position.
 2. The electronic mobile deviceof claim 1, wherein the cover is movable over a pivotal range betweenthe open position and the closed position in which the first magneticaxis and the second magnetic axis are misaligned.
 3. The electronicmobile device of claim 2, wherein in the closed position the firstmagnetic axis is misaligned with the second magnetic axis, and in theopen position the first magnetic axis is aligned with the secondmagnetic axis.
 4. The electronic mobile device of claim 1, wherein thecover is detachable from the base in the open position.
 5. Theelectronic mobile device of claim 1, wherein the base magnet is adiametric magnet including: a north pole half; a south pole half; apolarity plane separating the north pole half and the south pole half;and an attraction plane perpendicular to the polarity plane, anintersection of the polarity plane and the attraction plane defining thefirst magnetic axis.
 6. The electronic mobile device of claim 1, whereinthe base magnet and the cover magnet are diametric magnets, each of thediametric magnets including: a north pole half; a south pole half; apolarity plane separating the north pole half and the south pole half;an attraction plane perpendicular to the polarity plane; and whereininteraction between the base magnet and the cover magnet tends to alignthe attraction planes and thereby bias the cover towards the at leastone of the closed position and the open position.
 7. The electronicmobile device of claim 1, further comprising: a second base magnetsupported at the base hinge end, the second base magnet having a thirdmagnetic axis; a second cover magnet supported at the cover hinge end soas to move with the cover relative to the base, the second cover magnetinteracting with the second base magnet and having a fourth magneticaxis; and wherein interaction between the second base magnet and thesecond cover magnet tends to align the third magnetic axis and thefourth magnetic axis and thereby bias the cover towards the at least oneof the closed position and the open position.
 8. The electronic mobiledevice of claim 1, further comprising: a second base magnet supported atthe base hinge end, the second base magnet having a third magnetic axis;and wherein interaction between the second base magnet and the covermagnet tends to align the second magnetic axis and the third magneticaxis and thereby bias the cover towards the at least one of the closedposition and the open position.
 9. An electronic mobile device,comprising: a base forming an inner surface; a cover pivotable about ahinge axis that is substantially parallel to the inner surface of thebase, the cover being movable from a closed position to an open positionand vice versa relative to the base, in the closed position the coverbeing disposed proximate the base, and in the open position the coverbeing disposed away from the base; a hinge including: a first base hingeknuckle fixedly supported by the base; a first magnet housed within thefirst base hinge knuckle, the first magnet having a first magnetic axis;a first cover hinge knuckle fixedly supported by the cover proximate thefirst base hinge knuckle; a second magnet housed within the first coverhinge knuckle so as to move together with the cover relative to thebase, the second magnet having a second magnetic axis; and wherein thefirst magnet and the second magnet interact to provide a tendency toalign the first magnetic axis and the second magnetic axis and therebybias the cover towards at least one of the closed position and the openposition.
 10. The electronic mobile device of claim 9, wherein the hingefurther includes: a second base hinge knuckle fixedly supported by thebase; a third magnet housed within the second base hinge knuckle, thethird magnet having a third magnetic axis; a second cover hinge knucklefixedly supported by the cover proximate the second base hinge knuckle;a fourth magnet housed within the second cover hinge knuckle so as tomove together with the cover relative to the base, the fourth magnethaving a fourth magnetic axis, and the fourth magnet and the thirdmagnet interacting to provide a tendency to align the fourth magneticaxis and the third magnetic axis and thereby bias the cover towards theat least one of the closed position and the open position; a first hingepin pivotally connecting the first base hinge knuckle and the firstcover hinge knuckle; and a second hinge pin pivotally connecting thesecond base hinge knuckle and the second cover hinge knuckle.
 11. Theelectronic mobile device of claim 9, wherein the cover is movable over afirst pivotal range and a second pivotal range, when pivoted to aposition in the first pivotal range the first magnet and the secondmagnet bias the cover towards the closed position, and when pivoted to aposition in the second pivotal range the first magnet and the secondmagnet bias the cover towards the open position.
 12. The electronicmobile device of claim 9, wherein the base has a base longitudinal planeand the cover has a cover longitudinal plane, the first magnetic axis ismisaligned relative to the base longitudinal plane in both the openposition and the closed position, and the second magnetic axis isgenerally parallel relative to the cover longitudinal plane in both theopen position and the closed position.
 13. The electronic mobile deviceof claim 9, further comprising: an input panel supported by the base; adisplay supported by the cover; a first wireless transceiver supportedwithin the cover; and a second wireless transceiver supported within thebase, the second wireless transceiver and the first wireless transceivercommunicating to operatively connect the input panel to the display. 14.The electronic mobile device of claim 9, wherein the hinge furtherincludes: a second base hinge knuckle fixedly supported by the base, thefirst base hinge knuckle and the second base hinge knuckle beingdisposed on opposite sides of the first cover hinge knuckle; a thirdmagnet housed within the second base hinge knuckle, the third magnethaving a third magnetic axis; a fourth magnet housed within the firstcover hinge knuckle so as to move together with the cover relative tothe base, the fourth magnet having a fourth magnetic axis; and whereinthe third magnet and the fourth magnet interact to provide a tendency toalign the third magnetic axis and the fourth magnetic axis and therebybias the cover towards the at least one of the closed position and theopen position.
 15. The electronic mobile device of claim 9, wherein thehinge further includes: a third magnet housed within the first basehinge knuckle, the third magnet having a third magnetic axis; whereinthe second magnet and the third magnet interact to provide a tendency toalign the second magnetic axis and the third magnetic axis and therebybias the cover towards the other of the closed position and the openposition.
 16. The electronic mobile device of claim 9, furthercomprising an input panel supported by the base and a display supportedby the cover, wherein the first magnet includes a first electricalplating surface, and the second magnet includes a second electricalplating surface electrically connected to the first electrical platingsurface to operatively connect the input panel to the display.
 17. Anelectronic mobile device, comprising: a base; an input panel supportedby the base; a cover being pivotable from a closed position to an openposition and vice versa relative to the base, in the closed position thecover covering the input panel, and in the open position the cover beingdisposed away from the base; a display supported by the cover; a basemagnet supported within the base, the base magnet having a firstelectrical plating surface; and a cover magnet supported within thecover so as to move with the cover relative to the base, the covermagnet interacting with the base magnet to bias the cover towards atleast one of the closed position and the open position, and the covermagnet having a second electrical plating surface electrically connectedto the first electrical plating surface to operatively connect the inputpanel to the display.
 18. The electronic mobile device of claim 17,wherein the first electrical plating surface and the second electricalplating surface are in direct contact with one another.
 19. Theelectronic mobile device of claim 17, further comprising a pin pivotallyconnecting the base and the cover.
 20. The electronic mobile device ofclaim 17, wherein the base magnet has a first magnetic axis, the covermagnet has a second magnetic axis, interaction of the base magnet andthe cover magnet tends to align the first magnetic axis and the secondmagnetic axis, in the closed position the first magnetic axis ismisaligned with the second magnetic axis, and in the open position thefirst magnetic axis is aligned with the second magnetic axis.